❆ Blame it on the mistletoe! ❆ EVENT

Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills,
Baby, I know you ain't scared to catch feels, feels with me
Artemis Dagger

What a wild year.

Artemis leaned against the wall of the café he was waited next to, the sound of Christmas tunes surrounded him as he watched the festivities around him. He was sported a thick winter coat, dark jeans and some trainers, more comfortable clothes considering that they were going to be wandering around a festival together. The steaming paper bag in his grip emanating the sweet scent of freshly baked dough and sugar, warm donuts from the café he was leaning again, a treat for his date today. Yes, date.

Finally, he was getting to take Sivvy out, on a real date, and whilst they had gone on many date-like ventures together, none of them had been actual dates. Because up until this point, they had always been ‘just friends’, but that wall had been torn down. During one heated exchange on the Cursed Lands, where he had finally given into to his feelings. Now they were ‘more than friends’, and weirdly enough he couldn’t be happier. He knew he should be terrified about it, the idea of commitment had always freaked him out in the past. Since he last serious relationship, he had taken great strides to remain a bachelor, but he could not do that anymore. Not since Sivvy, and he was okay with it. More than okay, because this was what he wanted, more than anything else.

There was still some stuff to figure out, this he knew. The concept of him being in a relationship was always complicated, Artemis was the heir to the Dagger family business after all. He knew that in theory, his parents would have eventually tried to marry him off to ‘suitable partner’, some boring noble girl with influential parents. Now he had never intended to agree to such a thing, but he also hadn’t fought them much on it before. Mainly because thinking about marriage had always been the furthest thing from Artemis’s mind, and his parents, complain as they did about many things, had little concern over the kinds of women he entertained in the past. As long as, it was just that, women to entertain him. The idea of introducing Sivvy to them as more than that was worrisome, particularly after the fake wedding story that Sorcerer Magazine had did on them. The initial exposure had caused a great deal of trouble, and whilst he’d been able to rectify the matter. It certainly left its mark on his parents’ opinion of his affairs.

But then again, it was a bit soon to be worried about such things, this was after all  - very new. As such he just wanted to take her out, and have a good time, to not overthink it. That would be okay, surely?

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Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills,
Baby, I know you ain't scared to catch feels, feels with me
Artemis Dagger

At the sound of her approach, his eyes glided over to Sivvy, taking in the sight of her, his eyes lighting up at they always did when she came over to him. She looked, as usual, stunning. The hair was something to get used to, so familiar with those locks of pink as he was, but it wasn't to say he didn't like it. In fact it quite suited her, then again Sivvy was one of those rare types of girls who had such attractive features that they'd even look good bald. The outfit she had on was surprisingly extravagant and very christmas but not unfitting for such an event - although he did feel a little under-dressed seeing her. Maybe he should have put on a suit or something? There was a strange uncertainty about how to approach these situations, it had been almost been easier before, just get dressed and turn up. But since that day, things were different, more complicated. More ... thrilling.

"Hey beautiful," He greeted, he too wouldn't say anything further, not for feeling awkward but more because he was too caught up in admiring her still. His smile widened slightly at the soft kiss she planted on his cheek, this was new to Sivvy, this much he knew. And as much as he wanted to grab her and pull her in for a snog, he decided to refrain from doing so. Reaching out, he would take her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. "Of course, here." He said, lifting the bag of donuts so that she could reach in and take one.

"You get here okay? Shall we take a look around?" He asked as he began to guide her into the festival. As always it was lively and full of Christmas spirit, corny songs ringing out from nearby speakers, delicious smells from nearby stalls and laughter from the activities. It was a nice atmosphere, ideal for their first proper date. The sounds of a nearby vendor calling out into the passers-by would soon catch his attention.

"Guess the gift! Come guess the gift, and see if you can figure out what we have wrapped inside! Get it right and you keep the prize!" Artemis looked at Siv, "Eyy, that sounds pretty good. Let's give it a try." He said to her encouragingly as they made their way over to the table. Admiring the pile of gifts, examining the boxes for something that might be easy to guess. He picked up a small box, bringing it up to her ear, he shook it, hearing the tiniest rattle from within. There was a sudden poof, and magic washed over him. He knew this sensation, felt it often when he used his own magic, he was transforming but into what?

He felt himself shrink and parts of his body would mould into new shapes, his hair lengthening to his lower back and his muscles taking on a new form. "What the?!" He barked, looking down at himself in confusion, what had just happened? Was this a trick to do with the gifts?

Wait... were those... boobs?

"WHAT?!"

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Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills,
Baby, I know you ain't scared to catch feels, feels with me
Artemis Dagger

Artemis was well aware that during the christmas period, weird things tended to happen to people, especially when handling random presents. Like the last two christmases, where being struck with a present would turn him completely naked. And whilst it was a relief that this wasn't the case today, what did happened was quite bizarre. He took a moment to consider how he thought about being turned into a woman without his consent. As a guy, he had awlays been a relatively manly guy, but his ego wasn't so fragile that being turned into a girl was especially bothersome to him. As long as it was temporary he supposed, although it would be funny to see the look on his parents faces if they thought he had a sex change. They were so archaic in their way of thinking that it would surely horrify them - now that would be fun.

He looked back to Sivvy, eyes widening slightly as he realised that she had undergone the same transformation. Looking like a guy version of her, Artemis chuckled in amusement. Okay so, this wasn't so bad. Initially he had been shocked but now that he knew it was definately the gifts, his missing appendage wasn't such a shock to him. He glanced over at the man running the stall, "The effects are temporary right?" He asked, mildly surprised by the feminity of his voice, recieving a nod of confirmation from the man. As Sivvy asked him if they could still be together, he laughed, leaning forward it was now Art's turn to kiss her... or rather him, on the cheek.

"I think we'll be fine," He looked back at the vendor, raising the package in his hand, "This is jewellery right?" He asked, recieving a thumbs up from the guy, Art grinned, opening the present to reveal a pretty silver pendant, in the centre a red ruby dangling from it. It was clearly cheaply made, but the sentiment was still the same. Reaching up, he would put the necklace on Sivvy, who having a guys face, was still wearing a dress. As such it didn't really matter if he added more to the outfit right? After putting it on, he would take her hand once more. "Lovely, what shall we do next?"

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Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills,
Baby, I know you ain't scared to catch feels, feels with me
Artemis Dagger

Artemis watched in light amusement as Sivvy debated over the contents of the gift with the man, insisting that it was a rock, not believing him until he opened it for her. He observed her after they walked away, sucking on the peppermint, mood clearly affected. "You really are competitive huh," He commented, enjoying the adorable expression she was making. It was strange almost, how freely he could just relish the things he saw her do. Before the limitations he put on his own behaviour had been so restrictive, trying to refuse himself even the simplest of admiration. But now, he could just... be himself. It was nice, despite the niggling of worry in his mind. The were more than one person whose reaction could be most worrying and whilst his family were something, there was also a more prominent figure that brought concern.

However, oddly enough, Morte had been strangely quiet about the whole ordeal, did he have no interest in messing with Artemis like he had before? Or was he merely biding his time? He should warning Sivvy in case Artemis began to act unlike himself, but he really didn't want to put a damper on things, not yet, not on a day like today. Another time, when it felt more suitable that's when he would tell her the truth about the demon within, of the grandiosity of the evil that Artemis was hosting. But not today, nope - today was a date, one he was determined to do properly.

They made their way over toward the stage, the some of music filling the air. As the host called out to the crowd, Artemis would watched in surprise as Sivvy let go off his hand and rushed off the stage. Immediately bursting into song, Artemis brought his hand to his face, biting his lip to suppress his grin as he watched her. God she was so unbelievably cute, even in her gender bent state, serenading him in that clumsy way of hers. As the song reached it's end, he decided to join her, asking for a specific song. He would begin a rendition of 'Baby it's cold outside', Artemis had a relatively nice singing voice which seemed to have stuck even with the switch. He wasn't an idol but more than good enough for Karaoke, singing the guys parts of the song in his light newly feminine voice was surely a switch up, but a fun one that the crowd seemed to get on board with. "But Baby, its cooooold outsiiiide~" He crooned to her, eyes locked on hers as he sang, enjoying every minute. As it came to a finish, he beamed at her contently.

"Oh my what's this! Mistletoe seems to have found its way onto the stage! Well you know what this means folks," The host would call out into their own microphone, and surely enough looking up, a little twig of the mistletoe wrapped in a bow was dangling above their heads. Held there by a long stick which was currently supported by a near event organiser dressed as a elf. Artemis looked down at Sivvy, grinning from ear to ear as the crowd would begin to chant; "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Clapping between each chant and growing louder as they went on. Unable to resist any longer, Artemis would lean forward and plant his lips against hers. Grinning against her mouth as the audience erupted in cheers, before wrapping his or rather 'her' arms around Siv's neck. He had never kissed a guy before, and whilst he was by no means gay, he had no qualms about smooching his girl in this state.

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Don't be afraid to catch feels, ride drop top and chase thrills,
Baby, I know you ain't scared to catch feels, feels with me
Artemis Dagger

It seemed that it didn't matter how many times he got to kiss her, each time felt as euphoric as the last. She was just so easy to get lost in, so easy to forget the world around them and be utterly consumed in the feeling of her lips against his. He would kiss her with his usual keenness, not phased that others were watching, only wanting to make the most of what was happening. Kissing her as a woman felt a little different to the normal, but for the most part, the style in which they kissed remained the same.

Artemis was still Artemis, smooth and experience, teasing and playful - the attributes that made him Arty remained regardless of gender. But alas, there were in public, and the kiss had to end sometime, as so when Sivvy ended the kiss and tugged him off of the stage, he happily followed her. It had been somewhat nerve-wracking, this experience - their first official date.

And yet at this point, he felt completely at ease, in fact, he was more than keen to continue, particularly with that kiss. So was Sivvy it seemed, as she asked him about the mistletoe. He chuckled, scooping her closer, nose brushing against hers, "I'm sure there
s plenty around here," And resisting the urge to pull her back for another, he would take her hand and set off in search of that special kissing plant.

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